Diversity commission created as statistics show few minorities hired by Amherst
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

While statistics from 2000 show a very small percentage of minorities are being hired in the Town of Amherst, many leaders say the reason is because not many are applying.

Council Member Dan Ward's resolution to create a diversity commission drew debates from council members and department heads on how the issue has been and should be addressed.

According to Ward's resolution - in 2000, the town's employees were 41 percent female, .5 percent black, .2 percent Hispanic and .7 percent Asian/Pacific islander.

To address this, the board approved the resolution creating a seven-member commission to review and confirm demographic statistics and prepare an equal opportunity employment plan.

The purpose, the resolution states, is to, "Insure that employment demographics more closely reflect the actual town population demographics, and to protect the Town from costly civil litigation."

"The town does not discriminate ... and has complied and will continue to with the laws applicable to hiring," Council Member Bill Kindel said, adding that he interpreted that the resolution was admitting to wrongdoing.

Police Chief John Moslow also addressed the topic, stating that during the past several years only three black candidates had applied for officer positions - two were hired, and one was still being considered.

He added that in his department all federal, state and local laws are followed during the hiring process.

The problem, being that there is a lack of diverse applicants, was echoed by Council Member Williams A. O'Loughlin Jr., who said the general public doesn't know about vacancies in the town.

"We get a lot more people applying for positions from word of mouth of employees telling friends and family. That's OK, but they aren't broadcasting it on the street," he said, adding that the Town Board needs to find a way to better advertise openings.

In its original form, the resolution addressed the areas of religion, age and sexual orientation, which Council Member Shelly Schratz quickly asked to be removed, stating that as a private business owner, she is aware of what legally can't be asked of an applicant.

Each board member and the supervisor will appoint a member to the commission.

In another matter, the Town Board approved a $1.65 million bond for water pollution control at facility No. 16. The cost involved four separate projects, including replacing a 29-year-old grit collector that is corroding, short circuit/arc flash improvement and replacement of four transformers that were installed in 1976.

Engineer Jeff Burroughs said after reviewing the engineering department's capital improvement projects, he decided to consolidate these four into one bond.

Also under the Engineering Department's procedures, the Town Board voted to eliminate the per ton cost for sale of bulk pellets in amounts greater than the 200 tons per year per vendor to avoid land filling costs.

Burroughs said that at the end of the week unsold pellets have to be placed in a landfill, which costs $75 per ton. In December, the town paid $20,000 for landfill space. By removing the fee, the town's larger clients can pick up pellets without charge.

The pellet program has been a struggle, dealing with a commodity market where other providers are making tens of thousands of dollars. In its best year the Town of Amherst made $40,000.

The board also:

+ Passed a resolution to seek the assistance of a University at Buffalo program that redesigns buildings and rooms, to redesign the council member chambers area.

+ Accepted a grant for $11,733 from the New York State Real Property Tax Administration for technology improvement to redesign the town's Web site.

The next Town Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, April 2 in town hall, 5583 Main St.